2026 Medicine
Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment may influence thyroid-related biomarkers in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Acupuncture for Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck that secretes hormones to regulate the body's use of energy, metabolic processes and growth.
Around one in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime and women are more likely to have an underactive thyroid.
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from person to person and early symptoms can include weight gain and fatigue.
What is our clinical experience?
Based on feedback collected from over 745 initial appointments for Chronic Fatigue & Thyroid Disorders, 87% of our surveyed patients reported improved quality of life after their first 5 appointments. See our detailed benchmarking statistics.
InitialConsults
745
AverageAppointments
5
ImprovedQuality of Life
87%
Refer Family &Friends
94%
Who have we treated with this condition?
The age groups and genders we see most frequently with this condition. Note: this chart only represents the people who seek treatment at Ping Ming Health clinics for this condition.
- Female (78%)
- Male (22%)
| Age | Female % | Male % |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0 | 0.11 |
| 12 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 14 | 0 | 0.11 |
| 15 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 16 | 0 | 0.22 |
| 17 | 0 | 0.11 |
| 18 | 0.11 | 0.11 |
| 19 | 0 | 0.11 |
| 20 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 21 | 0.22 | 0 |
| 22 | 0.43 | 0 |
| 23 | 0.11 | 0.11 |
| 24 | 0.22 | 0 |
| 25 | 0.75 | 0 |
| 26 | 0.65 | 0 |
| 27 | 1.19 | 0.22 |
| 28 | 0.97 | 0.22 |
| 29 | 0.86 | 0.11 |
| 30 | 0.75 | 0 |
| 31 | 1.08 | 0.22 |
| 32 | 1.4 | 0.11 |
| 33 | 2.26 | 0.11 |
| 34 | 1.29 | 0.11 |
| 35 | 2.16 | 0.32 |
| 36 | 1.51 | 0.75 |
| 37 | 2.48 | 0.32 |
| 38 | 2.48 | 0.65 |
| 39 | 2.26 | 0.32 |
| 40 | 3.23 | 1.29 |
| 41 | 2.26 | 0.97 |
| 42 | 3.13 | 0.65 |
| 43 | 1.72 | 1.08 |
| 44 | 1.62 | 0.86 |
| 45 | 2.05 | 0.32 |
| 46 | 1.94 | 0.86 |
| 47 | 1.51 | 0.65 |
| 48 | 1.72 | 0.32 |
| 49 | 2.05 | 0.86 |
| 50 | 2.48 | 0.43 |
| 51 | 1.29 | 0.54 |
| 52 | 1.19 | 0.54 |
| 53 | 1.62 | 1.08 |
| 54 | 1.08 | 0.97 |
| 55 | 1.83 | 0.32 |
| 56 | 1.72 | 0.43 |
| 57 | 2.16 | 0.11 |
| 58 | 0.97 | 0.54 |
| 59 | 1.29 | 0.11 |
| 60 | 0.86 | 0.54 |
| 61 | 1.29 | 0.22 |
| 62 | 0.86 | 0.22 |
| 63 | 1.29 | 0.22 |
| 64 | 0.97 | 0.22 |
| 65 | 1.4 | 0.43 |
| 66 | 1.08 | 0.32 |
| 67 | 0.86 | 0.32 |
| 68 | 0.86 | 0.43 |
| 69 | 0.65 | 0.11 |
| 70 | 0.43 | 0.11 |
| 71 | 0.75 | 0.22 |
| 72 | 0.86 | 0 |
| 73 | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| 74 | 0.54 | 0.11 |
| 75 | 0.43 | 0.22 |
| 76 | 0.32 | 0.11 |
| 77 | 0.54 | 0.11 |
| 78 | 0.75 | 0.11 |
| 79 | 0.22 | 0.22 |
| 80 | 0.22 | 0 |
| 81 | 0.32 | 0.11 |
| 82 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 83 | 0.43 | 0 |
| 85 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 87 | 0.32 | 0.11 |
| 89 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 91 | 0.11 | 0 |
| 92 | 0.11 | 0 |
How many sessions of treatment?
The average number of appointments that patients attend for this condition. Some conditions respond quickly while others may require ongoing treatment.
Which types of treatments?
The types of treatments that are most frequently provided for this condition. Some treatments may be used in combination at the same time.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for thyroid disorders.
2025 American Journal of Translational Research
Jie Yu Xiao Yin, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, when combined with levothyroxine, enhances thyroid function and reduces autoantibodies and inflammatory substances in patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
2024 Medicine
Acupuncture demonstrated significant improvement in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis, outperforming oral levothyroxine sodium tablets as it improved thyroid function and patient's life quality.
2024 Integrative Medicine Research
Hand Yangming Meridian Penetrating Acupuncture may effectively improve symptoms and reduce thyroglobulin antibody levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis hypothyroidism patients.
2024 Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Herbal medicines may effectively treat Hashimoto's thyroiditis, particularly by reducing thyroid antibody levels and improving symptoms, without impairing thyroid function.
2024 Heliyon
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), used alone or in combination with other treatments, can enhance efficacy and manage side effects in Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) treatment.
2023 Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews
Combining Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) with Western Medicine (WM) could lead to an enhanced clinical outcome in treating hypothyroidism as compared to using WM alone.
2023 Frontiers in Endocrinology
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San could potentially enhance the effectiveness of antithyroid drugs in treating hyperthyroidism especially in symptom relief and side effect reduction.
2022 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Chinese herbal medicines combined with antithyroid drugs may offer benefits in lowering relapse rates, reducing the incidence of adverse effects, relieving symptoms, improving thyroid antibody status and thyroid function.
2021 Annals of Palliative Medicine
Chinese medicine could effectively improve thyroid function and the clinical symptoms of patients with diabetic nephropathy.
2018 Journal of Integrative Medicine
Findings indicated reductions in patient symptoms and improvements in biomarkers where acupuncture was used alone or in combination therapy against thyroid-relevant illnesses.
2016 Annals of Translational Medicine
Chinese medicine warming and invigorating drugs combined with levothyroxine may improve treatment of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto disease more than levothyroxine alone.
Seek personalised healthcare and advice
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you’ll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Research papers
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for thyroid disorders.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2026, May 01
A systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion cake on thyroid function in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis
Medicine
Acupuncture and moxibustion show potential to influence thyroid-related biomarkers (TPOAb, TGAb, and TSH) in patients with HT, but the evidence is limited by methodological weaknesses, heterogeneity, and publication bias.
Haitao R, Gaokai L, Chunxia L, Hongchen X, Zongjiao W Full Article
2025, Jan
Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jie Yu Xiao Yin on thyroid antibodies and inflammatory biomarkers in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients
American Journal of Translational Research
JYXY combined with levothyroxine was found to improve thyroid function, decrease autoantibodies and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alleviate symptoms in HT patients, surpassing the effects of levothyroxine alone.
Guo Y Full Article
2024, Mar 01
Effect of acupuncture on Hashimoto thyroiditis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Medicine
Wang X, Li Y, Xie H, Dai Z, Ma L, Zhu X, Zhan T Full Article
2024, Mar
Acupuncture treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis: An exploratory randomized controlled trial
Integrative Medicine Research Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
Wang S, Yang C, Zeng W, Tian H, Du S, Zhao J Full Article
2024, Apr
Herbal medicine for Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Herbal medicines, such as Yiqi Huayu Recipe, Liqi Xiaoying decoction, and Shugan Sanjie therapy, were found to reduce thyroid antibody levels the most and improve clinical symptoms without affecting thyroid function in patients with HT.
Luo J, Zhou L, Sun A, Yang H, Zhang P, Liu K, Yu X, Lin Y, Huang Y, Han L Full Article
2024, Aug
Clinical comparative efficacy and therapeutic strategies for the Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Heliyon
Luo J, Zhou L, Sun A, Min Y, Lin Y, Han L Full Article
2023, Mar 21
Efficacy of Chinese medicine in the adjuvant treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with hypothyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews
Tao YX, Li Q, Li CC, Huo JJ Full Article
2023, Sept 13
Effectiveness and potential mechanism of Jiawei-Xiaoyao-San for hyperthyroidism: a systematic review
Frontiers in Endocrinology
JWXYS may enhance the effectiveness of ATDs for hyperthyroidism, particularly in relieving symptoms and reducing AEs. Mono-JWXYS is not recommended except in patients intolerant to ATDs.
Ma W, Zhang X, Zhao R, Tang Y, Zhu X, Liu L, Xu M, Wang G, Peng P, Liu J, Liu Z Full Article
2022, Apr 18
Chinese herbal medicines for hyperthyroidism
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Cochrane
The results suggest that traditional Chinese herbal medicines added to other routine treatment have a therapeutic potential for people with hyperthyroidism.
Zeng X, Yuan Y, Wu T, Yan L, Su H Full Article
2021, Jun 16
Meta-analysis-based systematic review of effect of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in treatment of diabetic nephropathy on thyroid function
Annals of Palliative Medicine
TCM intervention in DN is effective in treating the clinical symptoms of patients with this disease and has ideal therapeutic effects.
Zhang X, Wu M, Zhou J, Zhou R, Luo Q, Yue R, Jin S. Full Article
2018, Nov
An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders
Journal of Integrative Medicine
The clinical study showed high effectiveness of acupuncture in treating thyroid disorders. Thyroid biomarkers and symptoms from hyperthyroidism/ hypothyroidism were significantly reduced with treatments. Patients also reported to have better sleep quality, digestion and emotional health. Acupuncture was also more effective in co-treatment with western medicine, and produced less side effects in the long run
Cheng FK Full Article
2016, Nov 23
A systematic review of combinatorial treatment with warming and invigorating drugs and levothyroxine for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto disease
Annals of Translational Medicine
Warming and invigorating drugs combined with levothyroxine may improve treatment of hypothyroidism caused by HT more than levothyroxine alone based on the FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, and TGAb results. Based on the low qualities of the included studies, further evidence is needed to confirm these conclusions.
Xiangwen Cheng, Zixiao Wei, Guangde Zhang, Xin Shao, Bo Li, Rui Gao Full Article
It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.